American who goes back to Munchen annually for the love of Germany. I have a hard time committing to tattoos but thought it would be a good nod to Hopfbrauhaus and Germany to get a tattoo of Aloisius, the angel who stays in HB after being sent to the Deutsch government… As a fan of satire, beer, and Germany I thought it would be perfect but worry it is perceived as how we view people dumb tattoos from a cultural or an objective perspective. I want to live there one day but have struck out for 2 years now… Be real with me, would this give "poser", "idiot", "wannabe" vibes (as the youth would say when I was a youth)? If I visited and people saw would it be a bad tattoo to see? Thank you all!
EDIT/CONSENSUS – While people said it could be fun/cute/okay, I have decided against pursuing this as many stated that it would be odd/advertising/tacky. Thank you all for your insights on this! I’ll definitely just love the character from afar but not get a permanent attachment!
https://www.reddit.com/gallery/1tryjbt
Posted by YikesPops
37 Comments
Bavarians would love it. OIm himdsight, “love” may be a bit strong and mostly people from upper Bavaria.. But whatever. Others would probably not get it. Aloisius is a very regional hero.
Btw, have you been in the Munich puppet theatre? Their “altmünchner Abend” (or a similar name) Features Aloisius in heaven regularly.
Your body, your choice. But talk to a very good tattoo artist, because that kind of motiv surely will fade quickly and look ugly.
These days a lot won’t even know the character.
I’d see it as tacky, i guess, especially on a foreigner.
I think it’s fun, i am not bavarian, though. i am sure people would take it as appreciation of Bavarian culture and like it.
Aloisius is rather special, so it’s less likely that people even know who he is. If you like it, get it. You don’t owe anyone a justification for it.
I only know about him because my dad had a costume of him for the Carnival.
What do you mean “Deutsch government” and what’s satire beer?
I think it will be fine – placement may be important. Subtle, small, not in your face may be a good idea. But up to you really.
Nothing more American than showing your love of Germany by getting a tattoo of a Bavarian comic.
Look, no disrespect but you seem to love Bavaria. Bayern is one region of many and it’d be kind of cool to not constantly be branded as Bavarian by association by seemingly everyone outside of Europe.
Im german but not from the region, on passing I would think its probably a patriotic alt-right tatoo or something. But I would never judge until I know the person or get a good look on the motive. If I would see this closer I would think its probably something personal as I have no idea what Alosius is
The HB Haus is an amazing place and I go there regularly. It also has a darker side to its history though and is directly connected to the uprising of Hitler and his disciples.
It’s dark history is not the deciding side of its history, but also has to be accounted for. Good luck!
I’m from Bavaria and like the idea 🙂
It’s a cultural authentic figure and showing it is way less cultural appropriation than wearing a plastic Lederhose. I’d smile when I see Aloisius as a tattoo, whether it’s on a local or foreigner. It shows appreciation for the culture and I appreciate that
Nice idea. I don’t agree that such tattoo will fade away quickly, imo it’s simple and colourful enough to look good for years without corrections.
Servus.
Not from Bavarian, but i absolutely love the idea
Be honest, you are just angeling for massive Karma in /r/shittytattoos/, aren’t you?
I think it’s tacky. Greetings from Munich
it is a very specific Munich Hofbräuhaus thing, the rest of Germany, not even the rest of Bavaria, will not identify with it and if you try to sell it as “German culture tattoo” you will lose respect with all Germans who aren’t from Munich.
As a Munich resident I find it funny, I’ve seen bikers with similar tats before.
There is also a little truth to the fact that southern Bavarians are a bit more patriotic than the rest of Germany, so it might leave a bad taste for Germans not from southern Bavaria. That includes northern Bavaria/Frankonia. Leave the Bavarian colors, symbolism and flag out and opt for something like number 2 with a more neutral background color.
I think it’s ugly and garish. It’s also essentially branding, barely different from getting a Nike or Mc Donald’s logo.
Lujah, sog I !!!
Go for it
It’s on the same level as Chinese characters without knowing any Chinese.
Look, I work in a field really close to Aloisius-related business, in Munich. It’s a character from an old book from 1910 and older generations know it. However younger people don’t know who this is even though HB pushes it a lot, but it stopped being a Munich symbol 30 years ago, it’s basically now a Hofbräuhaus symbol, problem is that locals don’t go to Hofbräuhaus (why would they?).
I guess what I’m saying is: it’s no longer a Bayern or Munich Symbol because it’s long forgotten, let alone in whole Germany. Your body your choice, but Aloisius has been reduced to be barely a known figure for HB itself and older Bavarian people.
It would strike me as tacky to see someone with it, specially a foreigner.
Tbf, I’m from the other side of the country so my connection to the character is non-existent, but I agree with the person saying that it’s the equivalent of tattooing the Nike logo on you, so I’d personally find it very tacky. In combination with you being a foreigner it would probably also immediately make me think you’re one of those Bavaria = Germany people, so I’d probably just avoid interacting with you.
But you know, I’m just a random girl on the internet that struggles with shutting down her judgemental side, so don’t put too much weight behind my thoughts
If you like it, go for it! Like others said, just make sure to pick a really good artist.
Personally (and this has nothing to do with me being German), I would never tattoo a business asset or mascot on myself. It’s basically free, permanent advertising on your skin.
Also, keep in mind that 99% of Germans wouldn’t even recognize Aloisius. The Hofbräuhaus is incredibly touristy, and locals rarely go there.
To be completely honest, this feels like the Munich equivalent of getting Mickey Mouse ears tattooed after a trip (or several in your case) to Disneyland. But if it has personal meaning to you, that’s what matters most.
This has unlocked some ancient memories I forgot I had
Halleluja! HALLELUJA! LUJA SOG I! Do it!
As a German, I can’t imagine any German doing this. You would look like one of those Americans who call themselves „German“, not saying you actually are of course.
I’m getting a tramp stamp of “Nett Hier sticker” in the future
luja, sog i!
If it’s done nicely you can do no wrong.
Alleluhja sog I. Alleluhja sog I!
Luja sog i!
Sacklzement Halleluja
Nah, oida.
May I suggest the “Münchner Kindl”?
My spirit animaloisius!
Zefix hallelujah hallelujah sog i
*EDIT/CONSENSUS – While people said it could be fun/cute/okay, I have decided against pursuing this as many stated that it would be odd/advertising/tacky. Thank you all for your insights on this! I’ll definitely just love the character from afar but not get a permanent attachment!*
You’re way to sober for such a decision. Reconsider it the next time you’re here, maybe even get it from a local artist as a souvenir.
Explaining your tattoo to people would be a great way to spread the word of Aloisius.
A lot of people shed light in the cultural view of the tattoo and OP has already decided but I want to add….
It’s just a tattoo, it’s probably not on your face, for you it seems to serve as as a memory and to me that’s the most valid reason to get one.
Whatever people are saying the assumption is that they where able to inspect your tattoo up close. But.most often thats not the caw Because most of the time people notice you are tattooed but will not perceive what it’s actually showing.
If having that tattoo makes you happy you should wear it. Because there will always be somebody disapproving of it. 99 % of the time you are the one looking at it, not the others.
I’m from Germany, not Bavaria, and I wouldn’t have a clue what I’m looking at. If I knew I would find it to be a fun tattoo.
There might be exceptions for extremely offensive tattoos like swastika or whatever. But this hofbraeuhaus guy is really ok
BTW, I know some people who did the same thing, one has a tattoo of the taxas longhorns logo for memory of her stay in the USA. Kind of reverse situation.
My point is… a tattoo is a personal thing. Nobody should criticize your decision to get the motiv you want. Imho, nobody even has the right to do so
I think it’s a funny tattoo, and I usually hate Oktoberfest and everything associate with it. But I also just kind of like random non sense tattoos. People are way too stuck up on this